Cats, bears, gladiators: Russian sports clubs’ mascots

Jan 27, 2015

Alexey Mosko

RBTH

However, mascots can actually bring luck. Hockey club Lipetsk, which plays in the second division in Russia, might remain unknown unless its mascot bumblebee called Zheka. The aggressive insect with its face distorted in anger looks so funny that a popular Russian TV show once devoted a whole program to it.

Press Photo

Admittedly, having a real animal for a mascot is quite a rare thing for sports clubs. However, many teams have a plush toy as a substitute for a living mascot.